Elongated utility receiver

ABSTRACT

An elongated utility receiver is configured to receive a panel. The utility receiver includes an inner wall that is configured to be attached to a mounting surface, a transverse wall extending away from the inner wall, and an outer wall extending from the transverse wall opposite the inner wall. The outer wall is spaced from the inner wall. A channel is defined by the inner wall, outer wall, and transverse wall and defines a total offset gap between the outer and inner walls. The channel is configured to receive a portion of the panel. A biasing element is flexibly attached to the outer wall and extends toward the inner wall. The biasing element variably closes the channel to an effective gap that is less than the total offset gap. The biasing element is configured to bias the panel element toward the inner wall.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/362,074, filed Jul. 14, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to trim elements for siding or cladding.

BACKGROUND

Exterior siding or cladding may be used to protect the walls, or other surfaces, of structures from the effects of weather and the ingress of moisture. Additionally, siding or cladding may provide aesthetic benefits.

SUMMARY

An elongated utility receiver, which is configured to receive a panel element, is provided. The utility receiver includes an inner wall configured to be attached to a mounting surface, a transverse wall extending away from the inner wall, and an outer wall extending from the transverse wall opposite the inner wall. Therefore, the outer wall is spaced from the inner wall.

A channel is defined by the inner wall, outer wall, and transverse wall and is open at a total offset gap between the outer wall and the inner wall, such that the outer wall and inner wall define the total offset gap. The channel is configured to receive at least a portion of the panel element. A biasing element is flexibly attached to the outer wall and extends toward the inner wall. The biasing element variably closes the channel to an effective gap that is less than, or equal to, the total offset gap, such that the biasing element is configured to bias the panel element toward the inner wall.

The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages, of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, isometric view of a siding assembly having panels cut at an angle and trimmed with a utility receiver.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, end view of a utility receiver, such as that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic, end view of a relatively thin portion of a panel within a channel of a utility receiver, such as that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic, end view of a relatively thick portion of the panel within the channel of the utility receiver.

FIG. 5 is a schematic, end view of a bottom portion of the panel within the channel of the utility receiver.

FIG. 6 is a schematic, end view of a utility receiver having a single gasket.

FIG. 7 is a schematic, end view of a utility receiver having a double gasket.

FIG. 8 is a schematic, end view of the utility receiver having the double gasket and a relatively thin portion of a panel trapped thereby.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, like reference numbers correspond to like or similar components wherever possible throughout the several figures. FIG. 1 shows a siding assembly 10 attached relative to a mounting surface 12, which may be a portion of a residential, commercial, industrial, or another type of building. In particular, the siding assembly 10 is shown covering a portion of a gable abutting a roofline of the building.

One or more panel elements or panel portions, which may be referred to individually or collectively as panel 14, cover the mounting surface 12. The panels 14 cover the mounting surface 12 to provide aesthetic and functional benefits, including protection from ingress of water onto the mounting surface 12. FIG. 1 shows a plurality of panels 14, which may be numbered or designated individually as first, second, third, and the like.

An elongated utility receiver 20 is configured to receive a portion of one or more of the panels 14 and hold the same relative to the mounting surface 12. In particular, the utility receiver 20 receives and covers terminal portions of the panels 14, including, without limitation: side ends, upper portions adjacent the roofline, bottom portions adjacent ground features, or combinations thereof. The panels 14 are generally rectangular and interact with each other without the need for any trim or finishing elements. However, at the terminal areas, the panels 14 may be trimmed or cut to fit into areas where no other repeating panels 14 will be assembled.

The utility receiver 20 acts as a finishing element for these terminal portions of the panels 14, and at least partially holds the panels 14 relative to the mounting surface 12. Note that FIG. 1 shows an illustrative configuration that may not be exemplary of actual installations, which may include additional trim or aesthetic finishing elements.

While the present disclosure may be illustrated with respect to particular industries or applications, those skilled in the art will recognize the broader applicability of the products and methods described herein. For example, similar structures, methods, or combinations thereof, may be used in other industries, including, without limitation: household items, electronic devices, or farm or industrial equipment.

Those having ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” et cetera, are used descriptively of the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the appended claims. Any numerical designations, such as “first” or “second” are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way.

Features shown in one figure may be combined with, substituted for, or modified by, features shown in any of the figures. Unless stated otherwise, no features, elements, or limitations are mutually exclusive of any other features, elements, or limitations. Any specific configurations shown in the figures are illustrative only and the specific configurations shown are not limiting of the claims or the description.

Referring also to FIGS. 2-5, and within continued reference to FIG. 1, there are shown additional views of the utility receiver 20 and of exemplary interactions between panels 14 and the utility receiver 20. Specific features of FIGS. 1-5 may be discussed concurrently.

FIG. 2 shows an end view of the utility receiver 20, and illustrates some of the features thereof. FIG. 3 shows an end view of a relatively thin upper portion of the panel 14 within or held by the utility receiver 20.

FIG. 4 shows an end view of a relatively thicker upper portion of the panel 14 within or held by the utility receiver 20. FIG. 5 shows an end view of a bottom portion of the panel 14 within or held by the utility receiver 20. Note that features in the background, and not viewable in the respective figures, may be affecting the lay of the panels 14 with respect to the mounting surface 12 or the utility receiver 20.

The utility receiver 20 includes several structures to assist in receiving, and holding, the panel 14 or a portion thereof. An inner wall 22 is configured to be attached to the mounting surface 12, such as with one or more fasteners, adhesives, or combinations thereof. A transverse wall 24 extends away from the inner wall 22. An outer wall 26 extends from the transverse wall 24 opposite the inner wall 22, such that the outer wall 26 is spaced from the inner wall 22. In the configuration of the utility receiver 20 shown, the inner wall 22, transverse wall 24, and outer wall 26 are all substantially orthogonal, or square, relative to each other and to the mounting surface 12, such that each element is either perpendicular or parallel to the others. However, other configurations may include different angles.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the utility receiver 20 also includes an optional trim piece 28, which is a box shape. The optional trim piece 28 provides aesthetic finishing for the utility receiver 20, and may be incorporated into the utility receiver 20 or may be a separately-attached piece.

A channel 30 is defined by the inner wall 22, the outer wall 26, and the transverse wall 24. The channel 30 is configured to receive a portion of the panel 14, such that a portion of the panel 14 is inserted within, or covered by, the utility receiver 20.

The utility receiver 20 includes a biasing element or biasing member, which is flexibly attached to the outer wall 26 and extending toward the inner wall 22. The biasing element is configured to bias the panel 14 toward the inner wall 22, such that the panel 14 is urged toward the mounting surface 12 by the utility receiver 20. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-5, the biasing member is a gate 32, which may also be referred to as a swinging gate 32.

The gate 32 is rotatably and flexibly attached to the outer wall 26, and is configured to swing between being substantially adjacent to the outer wall 26 and substantially spanning the channel 30. A hinge 34 joins the gate 32 to the outer wall 26. In the configuration shown, the hinge 34 is a living hinge.

In general, a living hinge is a flexible area or region made from the same material as the components that it connects—in this case, the outer wall 26 and the gate 32. The hinge 34 may be thinner than the surrounding portions and may be flexed due to its location relative to more rigid structures. Therefore, in lieu of a hinge formed from a different material, or a separate piece of the same materials, and attached to the outer wall 26 and the gate 32, the living hinge 34 may be thinned area that allows the more rigid pieces it connects to bend relative to one another along the line of the hinge 34.

The hinge 34 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as thinner than the outer wall 26 and the gate 32, but is illustrated as substantially the same thickness in the other figures. Furthermore, the gate 32 is illustrated in FIG. 2 with ridges or grooves. These ridges may assist in holding variably-sized portions of the panel 14 within the channel 30 by providing ledges over which the panel 14 must push to exit the channel 30. Other configurations of the gate 32, such as those shown in FIGS. 3-5, may not include the grooves.

The hinge 34 flexes to allow the gate 32 to bias portions of the panel 14 that are of different thicknesses, such that the channel 30 receives and holds different portions or areas of the panel 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. The gate 32 may also have multiple living hinges 34 or flexible regions incorporated into the gate 32, such that several small flexures occur across the length of the gate 32.

The channel 30 is open, or spaced, at a total offset gap 40, which is defined between the outer wall 26 and the inner wall 22, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The total offset gap 40 is greatest amount of space into which the panel 14 may be inserted. The gate 32, or other biasing element, variably or flexibly closes the channel 30 to an effective gap 42 that is less than or equal to the total offset gap 40.

The effective gap 42 may be defined or measured from the inner wall 22 to the gate 32, such that the effective gap 42 is a reduced space or gap, relative to the total offset gap 40, within the channel 30. As the gate 32 swings, it changes the amount of space within the channel 30, such that the gate 32 makes the effective gap 42 variable.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate variable closure of the effective gap 42 by the gate 32. In each of the figures, the gate 32 closes the effective gap 42 to a span that is smaller than the total offset gap 40, in order to bring the gate 32 into abutment with the portion of the panel 14 inserted into the channel 30. In FIG. 3, a relatively thin portion of the panel 14 is inserted into the channel 30, such that the gate 32 is extended well into the channel 30 and the effective gap 42 is relatively small.

A minimum span of the effective gap 42 may be configured as the minimum thickness of the panels 14 configured to be inserted into the channel 30 of the utility receiver 20. For example, and without limitation, where the utility receiver 20 may be used to trim or finish applications of vinyl siding panels, the minimum effective gap 42 may be as small as 0.038 inches, which is the minimum thickness of many types of vinyl siding. Alternatively, the minimum effective gap 42 may be slightly larger than the minimum material thickness of the panels 14, because the channel 30 will rarely receive portions of the panels 14 at the absolute minimum material thickness and because a small amount of offset from the inner wall 22 may be acceptable.

The gate 32 forms, or flexes to, the minimum span of the effective gap 42 when the panel 14 is not inserted into the channel 30 of the utility receiver 20. One configuration of the minimum span of the effective gap 42 is illustrated in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 4, a thicker portion, relative to that shown in FIG. 3, of the top of one of the panels 14 is inserted into the channel 30, such that the gate 32 is flexed or bent toward the inner wall 22 and defines or results in a relatively larger effective gap 42. Note that where the utility receiver 20 is perpendicular (vertical applications) or angled relative to the panels 14—such as the applications illustrated in FIG. 1—the gate 32 operatively biases portions of the panels 14 having different thicknesses, such that one utility receiver 20 (or elongated section thereof) may be functioning as shown in both FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (in addition to other thicknesses and flexure amounts).

The biasing element, in this configuration the gate 32, acts as an internal, and substantially hidden, locking flange to hold the panel 14 portion steady adjacent the mounting surface 12, as if the panel 14 portion had been directly fastened to the mounting surface 12. The biasing element does so by closing the effective gap 42 to be substantially the same size as the portion of the panel 14 inserted in to the channel 30. Therefore, the utility receiver 20 enables the terminal portions, or edges, of the panels 14 to maintain a similar appearance to installed full panels 14, but without the use of specially applied or located fasteners.

Flexure of the biasing element allows the utility receiver 20 to hold portions of panels 14 having different thicknesses within the channel 30, by varying the effective gap 42, and does so generally without flexing the outer wall 26 or the transverse wall 24. Therefore, the outer wall 26 does not become waved and maintains a generally consistent appearance, often planar and square, relative to the mounting surface 12.

In FIG. 5, a bottom of the panel 14 is inserted into the channel 30, such that the gate 32 is flexed or bent toward the inner wall 22. In this orientation or configuration, the effective gap 42 may be substantially at its maximum span or width, such that the gate 32 is fully rotated and abutting the outer wall 26. Note that the maximum span of the effective gap 42 may also occur in other orientations, such as when the utility receiver 20 is installed perpendicularly to the panels 14.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the utility receiver 20 may be a one-piece, unitary element. Therefore, the inner wall 22, transverse wall 24, outer wall 26, and gate 32 are all formed from the same, contiguous material. For example, and without limitation, the utility receiver 20 may be formed by extrusion. Unitary, one-piece components or elements are formed from a single piece of material—such as a single substrate, extrusion, or billet—without subsequent attachment of pieces formed separately of the same material or of pieces formed from different materials. In some configurations, the optional trim piece 28 shown in FIG. 3 may also be formed as one piece with the remainder of the utility receiver 20.

Referring also to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, there are shown end views of additional utility receiver configurations that may be used similarly to the utility receiver 20 shown in FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 6 shows a utility receiver 120 in which the biasing member is a flexible bulb or gasket 132.

The utility receiver 120 includes an inner wall 122 attachable to a mounting surface (not shown). A transverse wall 124 extends away from the inner wall 122 and an outer wall 126 extends from the transverse wall 124 opposite the inner wall 122. The transverse wall 124 shown in FIG. 6 includes a notch feature. A channel 130 is defined by the inner wall 122, outer wall 126, and transverse wall 124. The channel 130 defines a total offset gap 140, which is the greatest space between the outer wall 126 and the inner wall 122.

The gasket 132 expands and contracts to change the effective gap 142, which is less than or equal to the total offset gap 140 of the channel 130. Portions of panels, such as the panels 14 show in FIGS. 1-5, may be inserted into the channel 130. The gasket 132 biases the panel portions toward the inner wall 122, such that the panel portions are biased toward the mounting surface without the use of fasteners or adhesives. The effective gap 142 changes, as the gasket 132 flexes, to meet the thickness of the panel portions within the channel 130.

Unlike the gate 32 of the utility receiver 20, the gasket 132 flexes about its own body to move between a minimum span of the effective gap 142, which is illustrated in FIG. 6, and a maximum span of the effective gap 142. When at the maximum span of the effective gap 142, the gasket 132 is push leftward (as viewed in the figure) and the material is compressed against the outer wall 126. The utility receiver 120 allows panel portions of different thicknesses to be held or trapped within the channel 130 without flexing or bending the remainder of the utility receiver 120, such that the outer wall 126 maintains a planar appearance.

The gasket 132 may be formed from rubber or other suitable materials that are configured to flex and to bias panel portions within the channel 130. The gasket 132 is generally semi-cylindrical in shape. In some configurations of the utility receiver 120, the gasket 132 may be extruded separately and then attached to the remainder of the utility receiver 120. Alternatively, the gasket 132 may be co-extruded simultaneously with extrusion of the remainder of the utility receiver 120.

FIG. 7 shows a utility receiver 170 in which there are two flexible biasing members, an outer gasket 182 and an inner gasket 184. FIG. 8 shows the utility receiver 170 with the panel 14, such as that shown in the other figures, trapped therein.

The utility receiver 170 includes an inner wall 172, a transverse wall 174 extending away from the inner wall 172, and an outer wall 176 extending from the transverse wall 174 opposite the inner wall 172. A channel 180 is defined by the inner wall 172, outer wall 176, and transverse wall 174. The channel 180 is spaced by a total offset gap 190 between the outer wall 176 and the inner wall 172.

The outer gasket 182 expands and contracts to vary a first effective gap 192, which is less than or equal to the total offset gap 190, of the channel 180. Furthermore, the inner gasket 184 expands and contracts to vary a second effective gap 194, which is less than or equal to the total offset gap 190, of the channel 180.

Portions of panels, such as the panels 14 shown in other figures and as shown in FIG. 8, may be inserted into the channel 180. The outer gasket 182 biases the panel portions toward the inner wall 172, and the inner gasket 184 biased the panel portions in the opposite direction, toward the outer wall 176. Therefore, the outer gasket 182 and the inner gasket 184 cooperate to hold or grasp the panel portions without the use of fasteners or adhesives. In the utility receiver 170, the panel portions are biased from both directions, and both the first effective gap 192 and the second effective gap 194 have increase as the panel 14 is inserted into the channel 180.

In some configurations of the utility receiver 170, the sum of the first effective gap 192 and the second effective gap 194 is equal to or greater than the total offset gap 190, before the panel 14 is inserted into the channel 180. In FIG. 7, the sum of the first effective gap 192 and the second effective gap 194 is substantially equal to the total offset gap 190, such that the is no free gap or space, parallel to the inner wall 172 and the outer wall 176 between the first effective gap 192 and the second effective gap 194. Therefore, panel portions inserted into the channel 180 are likely to be biased by both the outer gasket 182 and the inner gasket 184, providing stability between the panel portions and the utility receiver 170.

The detailed description and the drawings or figures are supportive and descriptive of the disclosure. While some of the best modes and other embodiments for carrying out the disclosure have been described in detail, various alternative designs, configurations, and embodiments exist for practicing the appended claims. 

1. An elongated utility receiver configured to receive a panel element, comprising: an inner wall configured to be attached to a mounting surface; a transverse wall extending away from the inner wall; an outer wall extending from the transverse wall opposite the inner wall, such that the outer wall is spaced from the inner wall; a channel defined by the inner wall, the outer wall, and the transverse wall, such that the channel has a total offset gap defined between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the channel is configured to receive the panel element; and a biasing element flexibly attached to the outer wall and extending toward the inner wall, wherein the biasing element closes the channel to an effective gap that is less than the total offset gap, such that the biasing element is configured to bias the panel element toward the inner wall.
 2. The elongated utility receiver of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a gate rotatably attached to the outer wall, such that the gate swings to vary the effective gap of the channel.
 3. The elongated utility receiver of claim 2, further comprising: a living hinge joining the gate to the outer wall.
 4. The elongated utility receiver of claim 3, wherein the inner wall, the transverse wall, the outer wall, and the gate are a one-piece, unitary element.
 5. The elongated utility receiver of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a gasket, such that the gasket expands and contracts to vary the effective gap of the channel.
 6. The elongated utility receiver of claim 5, wherein the gasket is an outer gasket and the effective gap is an outer effective gap, and further comprising: an inner gasket attached to the inner wall and extending toward the outer wall, wherein the inner gasket variably closes the channel to an inner effective gap that is less than the total offset gap.
 7. The elongated utility receiver of claim 6, wherein the sum of the outer effective gap and the inner effective gap, without the panel in the channel, is equal to or greater than the total offset gap.
 8. An elongated utility receiver configured to receive and hold a panel element relative to a mounting surface, comprising: an inner wall configured to be attached to the mounting surface; a transverse wall extending away from the inner wall; an outer wall extending from the transverse wall opposite the inner wall, such that the outer wall is spaced from the inner wall; a channel defined by the inner wall, the outer wall, and the transverse wall and having a total offset gap defined between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the channel is configured to receive the panel element; and a gate rotatably attached to the outer wall, wherein the gate variably swings to close the channel to an effective gap that is less than or equal to the total offset gap, such that the gate is configured to bias the panel element toward the inner wall, and wherein the inner wall, the transverse wall, the outer wall, and the biasing member are a one-piece, unitary element. 